Adelina Anghel, Air & Sea Area Manager East (Romania & Bulgaria), Gebrüder Weiss

 

Growing investment in renewable energy and energy storage systems is creating opportunities for logistics operators, from heavy-lift and multimodal transport to coordinating deliveries with the construction schedule. Adelina Anghel, Area Manager South East (Romania & Bulgaria) at Gebrüder Weiss, explains why BESS projects cannot be treated as ordinary container shipments and why logistics partners should be involved from the investment planning stage.

 

What does the energy transition look like from the perspective of a major logistics operator?

We see it in the volume and variety of shipments. The energy transition has driven demand across all segments, from standard containers and sea or air freight to oversized cargo and heavy transport. This year, our strongest growth has been in heavy transport for energy storage, specifically the systems that support the integration of renewables and grid flexibility.

The reason lies in the complexity of these projects. A BESS (battery energy storage system) involves several parallel cargo flows: batteries, inverters, transformers and other equipment. These components come from different suppliers and must arrive on site in the sequence in which they are installed. Logistics accounts for only a fraction of the total investment, but a single delayed piece of equipment can hold up an entire project.

This is where Gebrüder Weiss comes in. We have extensive experience in special transport and complex industrial projects, including in the energy sector. We combine different modes of transport and support projects from planning through to the delivery of the agreed logistics services.

 

Why shouldn’t a BESS be treated like an ordinary container?

Because its external appearance does not tell the whole story. In BESS projects, battery units are classified as dangerous goods and require specific documentation. The shipments are heavy, and positioning operations require a site assessment.

That is why we start with the specific equipment: technical documentation, weight, dimensions and handling requirements. Looking like a container is not enough to determine the right transport solution.

 

What are the main logistics challenges in energy projects?

In our experience, the critical issue is keeping manufacturing, transport and construction aligned. Simply getting equipment to its destination is not enough. It must arrive when the site is ready to receive, unload and position it.

Problems arise when routing, access and handling are treated as separate issues and dealt with along the way. We therefore recommend addressing all three from the outset, as part of the execution plan.

Energy projects may require special transport, cranes and a combination of transport modes. Everything must be coordinated around the equipment’s requirements and conditions at the destination.

 

What are the particular features of Romania’s logistics chain?

The Port of Constanța and inland waterway transport are options worth considering for heavy equipment. We know them from practical experience. Gebrüder Weiss transported a lock gate from Istanbul to Vienna for the Port of Albern, in two sections each weighing 142 tonnes and measuring almost 40 metres in length, with transhipment at Constanța from a seagoing vessel to an inland waterway vessel.

However, the choice of port should not be the starting point. Planning has to begin with the final site: how do we get there, how do we unload, and what alternatives are available? The solution should be designed for the project as a whole, not for just one leg of the route.

For a logistics operator, the specifics of each project matter: its stage of development and the conditions at the destination. Gebrüder Weiss can draw on its experience in Central and Eastern Europe and Asia, together with its international network of project cargo specialists (transporting heavy and oversized equipment for industrial projects).

 

How early should a logistics partner be involved?

As early as possible, ideally before procurement and delivery terms are finalised. At that stage, options can still be assessed and compared, and responsibilities can be clearly defined. Once supply contracts have been signed, some options may no longer be available.

In addition to arranging transport, Gebrüder Weiss can support project preparation through feasibility studies and route surveys. Depending on the project’s requirements, the logistics package can include multimodal transport, packaging and other services needed to deliver the equipment.

The aim is for investors to understand from the outset what the complete solution involves: which operations are needed, who coordinates them and where constraints might arise. The conversation should not be limited to the transport price.

 

What can Gebrüder Weiss offer companies in the energy sector?

A complete logistics package, not just the main transport leg. Our offering includes multimodal transport, feasibility studies, route surveys, packaging and additional services tailored to each project’s requirements. It builds on the group’s long-standing experience in complex industrial transport, from heavy components to entire installations.

The principle is simple: we work with the customer to develop a coherent solution, with clearly defined services and responsibilities. Of course, when we say “complete package”, we mean the agreed logistics chain, not the electrical installation works or commissioning.

 

How should logistics operators adapt to future investment in energy storage?

By bringing together the right capabilities: international transport, project cargo, planning and local coordination. Storage projects require more than transport capacity; they require an understanding of the project as a whole.

For Gebrüder Weiss, the foundations are our experience in special transport, our Projects & Break Bulk team and the group’s international network.

Our objective is to turn that experience into a tangible advantage for the customer: a complete logistics package, clear responsibilities and fewer surprises along the way.

 

What should an investor or EPC contractor check when choosing a logistics partner?

Three things: experience with comparable projects, the ability to coordinate the entire package and clarity over responsibilities.

A logistics partner needs to be able to manage not only the main transport leg, but also related operations, from route surveys through to delivery at the final destination. Gebrüder Weiss has expertise in heavy transport, multimodal operations and door-to-door industrial deliveries.

The decisive question is a practical one: “Who brings all the stages together?” The answer should be clear before deliveries begin.

 

MAIN PHOTO SOURCE: Gebrüder Weiss

Complex energy projects require more than transport capacity. Gebrüder Weiss combines heavy transport expertise with tailored logistics planning and coordination.